FAQ

Welcome to the Excel Test Zone FAQ. Please review the FAQs to see if they answer your question. If not, please feel free to contact us with your query.

What is Excel Test Zone?

Excel Test Zone is a site where students can prepare for tests online! It's brought to you by Excel, the leading Australian publisher of workbooks and study guides

Excel Test Zone is from the same team that has published quality Excel educational resources for teachers and students for over twenty years. To ensure that we continue to produce quality material for our online product we have commissioned our highly experienced authors to write thousands of carefully graded questions which closely match the format and style of questions that students will get in the actual NAPLAN Tests, Opportunity Class Placement Tests, and Selective Schools and Scholarship Tests.

Detailed explanations for each question are also provided so that students learn as they go. The site is child and parent friendly so it is easy to set homework and let children work by themselves.

Students will be able to practise tests online and see how they rank on a state and national basis. Their results can be instantly emailed to them!

For even greater encouragement, a section called the Gymbrainium with lots of fun activities is included in Excel Test Zone. The Gymbrainium is designed to let students continue their learning while having fun in an interactive environment.

What are the NAPLAN Tests?

The NAPLAN Tests are held in May every year. Go to the official NAPLAN website (www.naplan.edu.au) to find out the exact dates and more details about the tests.

These tests are Australia-wide.

NAPLAN stands for National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy. It is the largest educational testing program in Australia. It is conducted every year and the tests are sat by all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

They are tests for entry to a selective or agricultural high school in Year 7. These schools cater for high-achieving, academically talented students by providing an educationally enriched environment.

Students are tested in Reading (45 questions in 40 minutes), Mathematics (40 questions in 40 minutes), General Ability (60 questions in 40 minutes) and Writing (one question in 20 minutes).

Scholarship Tests

The Scholarship Tests are held at different times of the year, depending on the school. They are usually at the beginning of the year in March, April and May.

These tests are Australia-wide.

They are tests for students who want to apply for a scholarship to a chosen Independent school.

Students are tested in Reading (around 40 questions in 40 minutes), Mathematics (between 20 and 28 questions in 35–45 minutes), General Ability (around 60 questions in 40 minutes) and Writing (usually 25–30 minutes for either one or two questions, depending on the test).

Are these the exact questions that will be in the NAPLAN Tests, Opportunity Class Placement Tests, and Selective Schools and Scholarship Tests?

No. The questions available on Excel Test Zone are not what will be found in the actual tests. Excel Test Zone prepares students by giving them the opportunity to trial similar questions to the questions in the actual test. The questions are not past test paper questions; they are completely new questions that are based closely, however, on the sort of questions students will face in the actual tests they are preparing for, whether this is the NAPLAN Tests, Opportunity Class Placement Tests or Selective Schools and Scholarship Tests.

Excel are specialists in this area with twenty years experience in educational publishing. We have helped thousands of students succeed in tests with our range of practice books for tests such as the Basic Skills Tests, Opportunity Class Placement Tests, and Selective Schools and Scholarship Tests. The same experienced authors of these very successful books have written the questions for Excel Test Zone.

What is an avatar?

An avatar is an online character that students can customise, providing a virtual reality feature to be posted on their screens as they do the practice tests.

Can I redo tests?

Yes. Excel Test Zone allows you to take the available tests as many times as you like. You can even check your answers and get tips on how to answer similar questions.

Who am I competing with?

Excel Test Zone is not only designed to prepare students for tests, but also to give them the opportunity to compete with other students in their year and on a national basis.

Can I purchase a home subscription for my child?

Yes, you can purchase an online subscription to the Excel Test Zonesite for as little as $39.95—simply click here! An online subscription provides you with full access to the tests that you have subscribed to. The online access will help students prepare by providing practice tests that they can redo as many times as they want. They can also review their results and correct their work.

Can my school purchase a school licence?

An online subscription provides class access to the tests that you have subscribed to, for up to 30 students. Subscriptions cost $199—simply click here.

What is included in each of the Excel Test Zone Test Packs?

If you have purchased an Excel Test Zone Test Pack, you will find the access code on the inside front cover of the Test Guide book. Excel Test ZoneTest Packs are available for each of the tests featured on the Excel Test Zone website.

Parents can take advantage of one month's FREE access to their choice of tests, simply by purchasing an Excel Test ZoneTest Pack from any bookstore or clicking onPurchase Book Packson Excel Test Zone, e.g. for the Year 3 NAPLAN Tests students will have access to 30 Numeracy Tests, 28 Language Conventions Tests and16 Reading Tests for FREE for a whole month!

What is the Gymbrainium?

The Gymbrainium is a section of IQ-style tests designed to give students’ brains a workout and motivate them to earn brain cells, which in turn provide access to Mind Games. The higher the level, the more brain cells you earn. To qualify for the next level, you need a minimum mark of C. There are nine levels altogether.

What are Mind Games?

Mind Games are fun and educational games designed to give students a timeout from test practice. When you have earned a minimum amount of brain cells you can play any of the games in Mind Games.

What are brain cells?

Brain cells are earned every time you complete a test from any Online Subscription or the Gymbrainium. The more tests you do and the better you do in them, the higher your brain cell total!

What is a Performance Score?

Your brain cell grand total from all the tests that you have completed in current and past Online Subscriptions is multiplied by your average test result to get a Performance Score. This is then compared to other students' Performance Scores and if you have excelled, you will be rewarded with a place in the Top Students Hall of Fame on the home page!

What is an Access Code and where can I get one?

An Access Code will provide you with access to the Excel Test Zonewebsite free for a set period of time. These codes can be found in the printed Excel Test Zone Book Packs that you have purchased in a book store or they may be distributed to you via a school promotional campaign.

How do I redeem an Access Code?

To redeem your Access Code, you will need to click on the Redeem an Access Code button, which is located on the home page. The Access Code can only be redeemed once you have completed the registration process. To redeem an Access Code, simply click here.